Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and School

October 9, 2008

Dear Families and Friends of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and School,

Greetings and God's blessings to all. May we be one in the love of Christ.

I have been with you for almost four months now, and I want to thank all our benefactors and all of you for the kindnesses, prayers, and support you have shown to me, as well as the parish and school.

After much prayer and study, it is time for me to write to you and report the current state of affairs of our parish and school. Enclosed with this bulletin insert is a financial report that I would like you all to be aware of. Please take a careful look at it, and if you have questions, feel free to contact Deacon John or a member of the Finance Council. You may also come into the parish office if you would like further details on how these numbers were determined.

In future bulletins, we are planning to report to you more details regarding our parish and school finances, which will include the following:
- Offertory reported one year ago.
- The current Offertory.
- What is needed to support the ministries presently and in the future.
- The current debt of the parish and school.
- Efforts to pay off loan.

In the near future, together with the finance and parish council, I hope to devise a five-year plan, which will strengthen the ministry of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and School.

I humbly and prayerfully ask you to continue to make an effort to practice your stewardship (prayer, time, talent, and treasure). If there is anything you are able to do for the parish and school, especially to reduce the debt, I would appreciate it if you would contact me or call the parish office.

Currently, I am pleased to report that we have re-established or enhanced several ministries in our parish in recent months.

First, we now have a new Pastoral Council. I thank all our brothers and sisters who said, "yes" to this ministry. Their names are as follows:

Mary Jo Costello, Chair	Martha Slinkard, Vice Chair	Dorothy Pfannanstiel, Secretary
Jan Sheppard	Jan Euley	Gilbert Maestas, M.D.
Constance Aguillard

Likewise, the following brothers and sisters are serving on the Finance Council:

Deacon John Driesbach, Chair	Robert Sickles, Principal	Valerie Wunderlich, Bus. Mgr.
Ron Langan	Todd Pevarnik	Tom Crennen
Kellie Heier, Secretary	Darrell Parker

Also, we have restored the Youth Ministry. Following are our new volunteer Youth Ministers

Brigitte Siller

Phillip McCutcheon

Aaron Heim

I would ask parents and families to encourage the children of the parish to join this worthwhile ministry, and if there is anything we can do to boost this ministry, give our youth ministers a call. Please read the bulletin for further information regarding upcoming events. Likewise, Sister Marilyn is activating the Religious Education (RCIA) and different programs for Adult Education. Please support Sister Marilyn in these ministries.

We have re-activated our Grief Ministry so as to provide a meal to the families of our deceased following their funerals. Martha Slinkard has agreed to be the Chairperson, and we thank all of those who volunteered to participate in this ministry.

In the very near future, I would like to start a Parish Family Night on Wednesday nights. We could share a potluck meal together, and it would be an opportunity for questions and answers regarding sacramental and spiritual matters and also a time to get to know each other. The children could participate or take this time to work on their homework. Please read future bulletins for more details.

Currently, the Friendly Group gathers on the third Friday of the month. I would also like to celebrate a Mass for them and all other seniors of the parish on the First Friday of the month. As a part of the celebration, they will have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Following the Mass, we will have a potluck lunch and a program to promote fellowship. It will start around 11:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Please pass the word around and bring a friend to the celebration. Also, every Friday, after the school Mass, there will be Eucharistic Adoration in the Church, ending with Benediction at 7:00 p.m. please take time to pray for our families, parish and school. We need each other's prayers.

As a parish, we are promoting and supporting Catholic education in our school. It is one of our ministries here at Our Lady of Lourdes. I ask you to continue to support and help me to restore the values, virtues and character of the Catholic faith. It is an important ministry to pass on the flame of faith to our children and the generations to come.

Finally, I know that we are all facing difficulties here at our parish and school. Please don't become discouraged. As we remain Christ centered, we shall overcome our current situation. I ask you to pray that the love of Christ be restored in our hearts that we may act accordingly to the love God has for all of us.

In closing, thank you all for your sacrifices and support of our parish and school.

May God bless you abundantly, and I love you all.

In Christ’s Love, I remain,

Fr. Peter Quang Nguyen
Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes